『御江戸図説集覧』等 版木
| Cultural property name | Printing Blocks (Hangi) for Oedozusetsushuran and Other Books |
|---|---|
| Commentary | Besides the pages of Oedozusetsushuran, carved into these printing blocks (hangi) are such things as maps of Edo, swords, pictures, I Ching divination, and kanji studies. This collection of printing blocks contains a total of 1,094 printing blocks. The leading experts of each field compiled these printing blocks during the Edo period, the Meiji era, and the Taisho period, and the master woodblock carvers of each age carved them. The hangi printing block is the master form used in woodblock printing. The printing blocks the Onko Academic Society owns are all made of cherry wood, a hardwood, and characters or pictures have been carved into both sides of the printing blocks. When printing, sumi ink is applied to the printing block and allowed to sink in. Next, traditional Japanese paper (washi) is placed on top of the printing block, and it is pressed against the block by rubbing all over with a baren. At the end, using Japanese-style bookbinding the Japanese papers with the prints are carefully bound into a book. These printing blocks, which allowed the printing culture in Japan to flourish and let it be passed down to subsequent generations, are invaluable cultural assets. |